Top Problems with Windows Live Movie Maker 2011

As the forums team with questions and issues with Windows Live Movie Maker 2011, the forums are but a charade to make the users of Windows Live Movie Maker think that someone is going to help them resolve their issues. The thing that Windows Live Movie Maker needs the most is a LOG; it needs an application log— to log things that it’s doing when these errors come a long.
Windows Live Writer has an application log, but let’s admit to some truth here, Microsoft really didn’t write Windows Live Writer; they just adopted a great application and made it good. The progression of Windows Live Movie Maker is slight, but the problem presented in the forums seem to go unanswered… For the past couple of months I have been hanging out in the Windows Live Movie Maker forums attempting to help other users;getting some some answers and figuring out others…
So I have the top issues/problems with Windows Live Movie Maker and the the official responses/resolutions.

I have spent enough time in the support forums to tell you exactly what the weak points are for Windows Live Movie Maker. And I have spent enough time in the Windows Live Movie Maker attempting to help other users while attempting to help myself. My last straw came as I, myself, was working on a video project only to be struck with the same bludgeoned problem as those many others I had been attempting to help. My Windows Live Movie Maker crashed as I was attempting to build my project. It crashed… there was no recovery, there was nothing. When I tried to re-open the project I have saved many times before; Windows Live Movie Maker just reported the project was corrupt…
Windows Live Movie Maker just expected me to suck it up and start all over. Nah- that’s not how I operate. So, I have some information to share and this will serve as my departure notice to Windows Live Movie Maker and the ‘support’ forum…

And for those who are searching for help… maybe one of these subjects below will help you.

Here’s the list…

There’s no official HELP MANUAL…Windows Live Movie Maker doesn’t come with an official user manual; Microsoft expects their new application to be so simple it doesn’t require documentation… Thankfully, a kind soul created an user manual/guide for Windows Live Movie Maker 2011. It’s in PDF form and it’s 1.5mb; free to download. Link: http://www.box.net/shared/bedsnr2001 Microsoft has deemed that Windows Live Movie Maker is so simple that even a mental reject can figure it out and yet, there are so many questions. It takes a solitary person to sit down and write all the things about Windows Live Movie Maker to generate the unofficial user manual for Windows Live Movie Maker. I’m surprised the site isn’t crippled by the sheer requests for this document. And good work to the author by the way.

There’s no TIMELINE …

As much as the techs in the forum want make an attempt to convince everyone that the new GUI interface for the composing of the video’s is a ‘timeline’ it’s not; ask anyone who has every used a video editing program and they’ll tell you… Windows Live Movie Maker doesn’t have one. This is Windows Live Movie Maker version of a timeline.

The crap they add on the right is a storyboard.

It’s virtually impossible to place the audio exactly where you want it. Half the time you can’t drag-and-drop the audio. You have to pull the storyboard pointer to a specific spot and then choose ‘add audio’— it’s friggin stupid.

Editing AUDIO in Windows Live Movie Maker is broken…Windows Live Movie Maker allows you to add audio to a video, but if you have to go back to edit the audio, it affects the entire timeline. For instance, if you remove the first audio insert, all the audio after that’ll not stay in place. I have already reported this to the 2nd echelon techs and they confirm it, and there’s nothing to do about it right now. And if you are attempting to use the SPEED function of the VIDEO for a specific section/clip of video; as soon as you apply the affect, the audio for the video section is gone— completely. And the only options you have for sound are fade in, fade out and the audio mixer [between the default audio and the alternate audio].

Fonts and Font Backgrounds…
Windows Live Movie Maker doesn’t offer an option to have a font background color; all fonts for the titles are transparent. So you have to worry about placing the text in areas that are going to be seen, or not seen; or choose a font color that looks so out of place it’s nuts.

Video/Audio Codecs support is non-existent…
One of the biggest issues in Windows Live Movie Maker I the lack of video support for the common video formats on the web. The simplest fact is that Windows Live Movie Maker doesn’t work unless you have the proper codecs installed in to the operating system. You would think that Microsoft would have thought about this more…

According to the support page for Windows Live Movie Maker 2011; it supports an array of video formats; and those are:

What this reference page doesn’t say is that you have to provide the codec! Most people are asking, what the Hell is a codec?! They know the video they shot on their camera is supposed to work with the Windows Live Movie Maker application. And the standard response from Microsoft on this is:

You should make an attempt contact the manufacturer of the device and see if they offer any download’able codecs/drivers for your device- making it compatible with your operating system.

Really?! Really…Or they send you to a page to explain to you what a codec is, and that’s where their support stops. Microsoft/Windows Live Movie Maker techs typically don’t offer you a link to the right codec…

They typically only offer a link to a page with Codec FAQ’s and the formats Windows Live Movie Maker supports.

On the other hand, I have been attempting to point out, despite the lack of endorsement from the Microsoft tech in the forum, that download a ubiquitous codec pack COULD be a resolution…

I suggest two programs [either or], GSPOT or VLC; they have a built-in database/codecs to help to identify your media file.

I did see this ONE time! And only once…
I called out the support techs on Windows Live Movie Maker, basically telling another user that ‘ Windows Live Movie Maker techs were not going to help, they can’t offer links to codecs’…
The very next post was by a support tech. The thing is, he was talking from his own experience, with his own Windows Live Movie Maker and his own iPhone…
But I’ve never seen another response in that manner, or format. It was the Codec to IPhone and Panasonic Phones

Windows Live Movie Maker can’t handle LARGE projects…
According to Microsoft techs in the Windows Live Movie Maker forum, Windows Live Movie Maker has horrible issues with managing system resources. Basically, Microsoft has confirmed that you can add as many images and videos as you want to Windows Live Movie Maker 2011, but if you make an attempt save or compose with that media Windows Live Movie Maker could crash [based on your resources]. And these issues are based on the size of the video being produced and the resources on the local PC. It’s a legacy problem from the last version..

The techs in the forum report that they’ll be attempting to address this in the future… but right now; you’re screwed.

Movie Maker isn’t compatible with Windows ‘Live’ Movie Maker…
This is partly true. Windows Live Movie Maker doesn’t read the old Movie Maker files completely. And there’s some that are flat out not compatible. Many projects have been completely lost by attempting to go to the new Windows Live Movie Maker. And many that have chose make an attempt Windows Live Movie Maker have done so only to revert back to an old version of Movie Maker.
» Please note that Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery are a bundle set. Uninstalling Windows Live Movie Maker will remove Windows Live Photo Gallery. To do this…

Start» Run» APPWIZ.CPL Windows Live essentials [update/uninstall] Select Windows Live Movie Maker and go through the steps of removing it.

OR…

To uninstall Windows Live Movie Maker, click Start » Run, then type/paste the following and press Enter: msiexec /x {9F479685-180E-4C05-9400-D59292A1B29C} …and go through the steps of removing it. [recommend rebooting at this point]

You should now be able to reinstall the older versions from here. This is for Vista and Windows 7 – 32 and 64-bit.

The techs for Windows Live Movie Maker Don’t know…
For the most part the techs in the forum are lost— nothing but a crew of keywords and canned responses; they offer no straight answers on how to fix anything with Windows Live Movie Maker. Of all the questions that have been asked, I have rarely seen a resolution.

I believe most of the credit goes to PapaJohnMVP for having an already wealth of information about codecs and tips to pull from. And I find the techs lack of vigilance depressing. It’s taking DAYS on getting questions answered on topics; somet times they don’t even answer some poor souls. And if they do, when they do, it’s typically just a non-focued canned response. I can say I at least read the questions, tried to give users some information they could use.

And the forums SEARCH is worthless…

Christ does the SEARCH function in Windows Live forums suck! You can choose to search ONLY Windows Live Movie Maker and type in just the things you want to see and the friggin stupid thing goes out and grabs every ‘gorrammit’ word in the whole friggin world, except the forum you wanted to search. Microsoft doesn’t allow the forums to be indexed by Google, so you can’t even get results from the forum searched otherwise.

So you can take this for what it is, a collection of answers and resolutions to several things with Windows Live Movie Maker. And you can take this as a person who really tried to make it work, to really help others; but doing this is like defending a Ford Pinto… just not worth it. Sadly, this was a canned response I put on a lot of responses…
If you’d like, you can leave feedback for the Windows Live Movie Maker 2011 team for suggestions/improvements:
Link: https://feedback.live.com/default.aspx?productkey=moviemaker

And I don’t think ANYONE from Microsoft checks that box for anything. If they did, they’d have released some updates by now.

Bonus Round Items
AND here are some other things for me to share…How to Loop VIDEO with Windows Live Movie Maker
If you want Windows Live Movie Maker 2011 to loop video [over and over], that’s unrealistic. Windows Live Movie Maker doesn’t have that feature. To have the movie loop over and over again, would be a setting on the media playing application [continuous or loop]. Looping the video can be done via the Windows DVD Maker application, but you have to export the video to WMV first and then open Windows DVD Maker. Only then will you get options to LOOP the DVD video.

How to adjust the video output of Windows Live Movie Maker
To adjust the output of the WMV file of Windows Live Movie Maker, do this… In Windows Live Movie Maker, MENU, SAVE MOVIE The eMail option is typically going to give you the best ratio option for size and resolution. But you can use ‘custom settings’ if you need to. How to edit the audio in Windows Live Movie Maker

How to import MOV/MP4 files in to Windows Live Movie Maker
I was having issues with importing MOV files and found Windows Live Movie Maker has an issue with the extension of MOV; I changed the files to MP4 and it worked better. If you’re having issues with MOV/MP4/h.264 high def videos, I believe my information could help you import MOV files directly in to Windows Live Movie Maker without having to convert them first. Take a look at my video… Maybe it can help you…

How to SPLIT a movie with Windows Live Movie Maker
If you need to SPLIT a movie in half or in to multiple parts, you can do this… Windows Live Movie Maker 2011 doesn’t have a super intelligent way to ‘split’ a movie easily. [save this half/save that half] But you can open the movie in Windows Live Movie Maker, get to a breaking point and use the ‘split’ option under VIDEO » EDIT. Notate the time/positions of the break; you’ll need that later. Under the movie preview. Delete the [remaining] other half and then save the [first] one half to a WMV file. To finish, repeat the process for the second half of the movie, breaking the movie at the same time/position and exporting to WMV.

How to get a WMV on to a DVD- and it work.
If you’re trying to get Windows Live Movie Maker [WMV] file to work with a standard DVD player, there are some options…

Option A.
You can make an attempt simply write the WMV file to a DVD using any DVD software you want. Ensure your DVD player can handle the media you’re going to be using; either DVD-r or DVD+r. And while SOME DVD players will play WMV files, not all can— there lies a problem. A solution would be to buy another DVD player that SAYS it supports WMV, but this doesn’t make it compatible with ALL DVD players [back to square one].

Option B.
You can use the SAVE option in Windows Live Movie Maker to export to DVD. The MOVIE is then converted to WMV— The completed movie is handed off to Windows DVD Maker… Another issue is that NOT all DVD players are equal. Some will play self-authored DVD’s, others won’t [simple fact]. You can try other another DVD player, or you can try another type media [Memorex, Imation, Sony…] or try another software package to burn the WMV to a DVD [like ConvertXDVD]… The real answer is to find the right media and the RIGHT software package that burns the movies correctly. Personally, Windows DVD Maker doesn’t work for me, and mine [never has].

How to TRIM and DELETE video clips with Windows Live Movie Maker
If you need to TRIM and Delete sections of video… In Windows Live Movie Maker select the movie clip you want to edit by double-clicking on it. Then use the edit TOOLS at the top [ribbon]. To adjust the beginning and closing of the video, use the TRIM option. To take out parts of the video, use the SPLIT option at the beginning and the end of the section you want to remove. Then DELETE the section you don’t want [the middle].

That’s it friends…
I have nothing left to offer on the subject of Windows Live Movie Maker. I’m washing my hands of it. If you choose to use it, good luck. If it works for you, then your considered a ‘blessed’ user. I may get some crap from this post, but everything here is factual. It’s from the support forum and it’s from reports from other users, and myself. Your welcome to check out the support forums as well…
Link:
http://www.windowslivehelp.com/forums.aspx?productid=5
This is what I took away from using Windows Live Movie Maker. Windows Live Movie Maker is a free program from Microsoft. Microsoft doesn’t make anything, they copy/assimilate and then re-brand applications/software. I really can’t complain about free; it’s free. But you aren’t going to motivate developers on a free application by complaining. If I really want to get nasty, and complain; I’ll pay for it— then I have a true reason to complain. I hope this helps…

I wonder if anyone in MSFT is listening, however. It looks like the WLMM development team has completely disappeared from the forums. They simply don't appear online anymore, and haven't been on the Windows Live blog for at least a year. It's quite amazing. Either they simply don't care, or they're so overwhelmed with the criticisms of WLMM that they've gone into hiding. How sad.

Also, have you noticed an upturn in messages regarding errors on the Live Solutions forum for WLMM? In the last month or so, the forum seems buried in an avalanche of problems, with virtually no help in sight. There seems to be a lot of technical glitches with the latest release. What a sad result for what used to be a great little program – Windows Movie Maker before "Live".

Honestly, I have given up on the Windows Live Movie Maker forums and just about any other Windows Live forum… the technicians are full of auto responses… I mean I have mine too, but mine are on topic and I\’m actually attempting to help. 80% of the responses that I see; they\’re to basically discourage the user with crap so that they don\’t come back. It\’s something I would expect to see from Microsoft.

Well, I hope I help someone with the list…
Thanks for your time…

Mike in Idaho

Thanks for the information. After many hours of frustration to get a WLMM to a DVD, I agree with your assessment. Which program do you now use for a easier and more user-friendly application?

What do you suggest/recommend for manipulating files from Microsoft Media Center?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Just convert them to something Windows Live Movie Maker can handle…

If you're having issues with Windows Live Movie Maker and you can't find the codec you need, or one that'll work, you may need to convert the video to AVI and then import it in to Windows Live Movie Maker.

As a suggestion, I use Video Converter Factory, a video converter that handles lots of different video types [100+] and audio and it's super simple to use. Ultimately, if you can find the codec that works, great; if not, or if your pressed for time, here's a FREE option to convert the data.

Thank you for your detailed information, I especially enjoyed the way you put this into your own words instead of making up a computerized linear passege of how to fix everything. My clips from my video became currupt for no reason, a substantial issue I always have when using Windows Live Moive Maker as you said; therefore, whenever I want to upload this one video to Youtube it saves the files of the video to the eighty five percent mark, then says cannot save files have been corrupted. If you could tell me anything I can do to stop this from happening again I would appreciate it, I really hate getting pissed off and having to redo the entire video again.

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Well, here's the top things to do for Windows Live Movie Maker if you're having problems.

Windows Live Movie Maker is really bad about handling system resources and can cause plenty of issues. To check on this, if you run in to issues with Windows Live Movie Maker, pull up the Task Manager and see how much Windows Live Movie Maker [the application] is taking/using from your system. If it's using more memory than anything else, that could be your problem…

The standard response from Microsoft techs is to adjust your PAGEFILE; this is to account for the lack of handling system resources properly. You can make an attempt adjust your page file… as a recommendation— In the Initial Size box, enter a value equal to one and a half times the amount of the computer's installed RAM. In the Maximum Size box, enter a value equal to twice the amount of the Initial Size value.

Windows Live Movie Maker uses several components; one of which is DirectX. You need to make sure that you're using the latest version of DirectX when working with Windows Live Movie Maker. You can also use this link to install/reinstall DirectX if you're having issues.

Display drivers; if not already, you should visit WINDOWS UPDATE and see if there are any updates to your video card. This might help you. It's not an absolute, but it has helped others; based on responses from the Windows Live Movie Maker forum.

If it's a sticky video, one that's causing the issue, convert it to an innate format Windows Live Movie Maker can handle.
If you're having issues with Windows Live Movie Maker and you can't find the codec you need, or one that'll work, you may need to convert the video to AVI and then import it in to Windows Live Movie Maker.

As a suggestion, I use Video Converter Factory, a video converter that handles lots of different video types [100+] and audio and it's super simple to use. Ultimately, if you can find the codec that works, great; if not, or if your pressed for time, here's a FREE option to convert the data.

Hi Larry, great info! I have all the problems listed with the WLMM, in a way, it is good to know I am not alone! I downloaded the klite codec kit but did not help. No I'm going to try the convert. Do I need to get both? (regular and HD)?
My husband has been trying all kinds of things and no luck. He even downloaded the old version, and we are ready to go buy a video editor and toss WLMM
Thank you for all this post, it is really appreciated!

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

I need to thanks I appreciate that. It's been enough time in the Windows live support forms to figure out exactly what the top problems were. Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about Windows live movie maker. I've done several articles and how to fix several different problems with Windows live movie maker. Again, thanks for contacting me. Later,

Martha

I meant "Now I'm going to get the converter" typo, sorry.
I was asking if I need to get the 2 converter links recommended, one of them HD.? Or just one?
I managed to make a small slideshow, no problem, but no video yet. Doesn't want to save my project, even after installing the K-lite mega.
By now I lost the page with your links… I have been reading all your posts, this is a great blog, will recommend it!

Michael Andrews

I'm having a problem with windows live movie maker.After I have downloaded a video film from my video camera which uses min dv tapes the files go into my videos in 5 separate bits when I drag them into movie maker to try and burn them to disc only the first 3 files will work the last 2 my computer tells me are corrupt, any thoughts as to why files that are all downloaded at the same time should do this.Regards Mike Andrews.

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

That's a good question, I don't know about the last two. But if the others work fine, that means something about them is causing Windows Live Movie Maker to go nuts. It could be resources it could be a damaged media file.

To cover for the consistent reports of resource issues in Windows Live Movie Maker; the standard response from Microsoft techs is to adjust your PAGEFILE — it's helpful in some cases.

As a recommendation— In the Initial Size box, enter a value equal to one and a half times the amount
of the computer's installed RAM. In the Maximum Size box, enter a value equal to twice the amount of
the Initial Size value.

Note: You can change it back to what it was if this doesn't work for you…

or

I have some suggestions for video conversion. I have used all three of these video converters and think are are very good; and easy to use. They all have the video conversion options you'd be searching for and handle plenty of formats— and they're all free.

These would be my fastest answer for you to get moving…
I hope this helps…

Later,
Larry

Michael

I am getting a problem with it, whenever i import a video to it it puts a blank video that is 7 seconds long. Any help?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Yes.
Windows Live Movie Maker isn't compatible with a lot of the formats it says it's until you load the CODECS in to the operating system. If you're having issues/problems with opening/editing your audio/video media, it could be your installed codecs [or the lack of] or maybe you need to update your CODECS; ultimately, it's all about the CODECS.

Audio and Video, both, require current CODECS to play the proper media [correctly].

As a suggestion, you can download the most ubiquitous CODECS yourself and installing them very easily…It's FREE, REPUTABLE and updated regularly.

If you're having issues with Windows Live Movie Maker and you can't find the codec you need, or one that'll work, you may need to convert the video to AVI and then import it in to Windows Live Movie Maker.

As a suggestion, I use Video Converter Factory, a video converter that handles lots of different video types [100+] and audio and it's super simple to use. Ultimately, if you can find the codec that works, great; if not, or if your pressed for time, here's a FREE option to convert the data.

I've been having the exact same problem and it's so frustrating! After searching like a starving eagle on the internet for so long I finally found your post, so let's hope that something works! Thanks for writing this post, I'm sure it'll prove very helpful and I'm bookmarking it straight away.

Oh, and HD video converter Factory – Love it! Needed a good converter and could only find malware crap on Cnet but this program works really good for me, so thanks a lot for that as well!

Huge, everlasting love for solving this massive problem,
Hanna

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Hey, no problem… I hope this works out for you.
I hope you have a nice day!

How refreshing to hear such a clear critique! I used to spend considerable time making family movies to DVD of hols/cycling trips etc with good old dodgey MM … but it worked (eventually!) ..and we still watch the DVDs. How could they (MS) get it so wrong? Do you think they will eventually pull WLMM until they have a suitable replacement? Any hope??

BM
N Ireland

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

You know, I believe they canned the old version completely.. I mean to say they trashed it. In my opinion… they found another package they thought would be better than the old version. they were searching for that Tele Tubby feel; putting efforts in to 'dumming it down' for the baby boomers [you know, the Microsoft investors]. And the product they released, was only a splash of GUI'ness and lacked functionality that was there previously. Functions like the timeline, narration, multiple audio tracks… these are things people need to make an accurate video; the latest version lacks the feel, the proven interface that users need.

And lastly, Windows Live Movie Maker is horrible with the management of system memory resources and it's inability to deal with COMMON CODECS of the day like MOV; it's a disaster. And to lay that off on the user, saying they don't have something installed to make it work— it's crap. And it's sad.

I don't use Windows Live Movie Maker that much anymore, but I frequent the forums, putting efforts in to help others.
I moved on to Magix Movie Edit Pro… it cost me some money, but works great. http://www.lehsys.com/2011/02/techie-review-movie….

Microsoft will not pull Windows Live Movie Maker they're going to let it limp and drag and disappoint users for as long as they did with Internet Explorer; pushing the users out and away. Only those left desperate enough will use it… the only reason Microsoft offers it, is to compete with iMovie on the MAC; which is SO much better.

You know, I believe they canned the old version completely.. I mean to say they trashed it. In my opinion… they found another package they thought would be better than the old version. they were searching for that Tele Tubby feel; putting efforts in to 'dumming it down' for the baby boomers [you know, the Microsoft investors]. And the product they released, was only a splash of GUI'ness and lacked functionality that was there previously. Functions like the timeline, narration, multiple audio tracks… these are things people need to make an accurate video; the latest version lacks the feel, the proven interface that users need.

And lastly, Windows Live Movie Maker is horrible with the management of system memory resources and it's inability to deal with COMMON CODECS of the day like MOV; it's a disaster. And to lay that off on the user, saying they don't have something installed to make it work— it's crap. And it's sad.

Microsoft will not pull Windows Live Movie Maker they're going to let it limp and drag and disappoint users for as long as they did with Internet Explorer; pushing the users out and away. Only those left desperate enough will use it… the only reason Microsoft offers it, is to compete with iMovie on the MAC; which is SO much better.

I just downloaded wlmm and there is an automovie button but no automovie theme button on the task bar. There is no where to sign in or anything. I had it before and I am trying to find out did they change something or why can't I find the auto themes?

Beth

I've come to the conclusion that WLMM is the bane of my existence! I had to use it for a class project in college, so when I needed to edit some videos, I figured I'd use it again, because I had no problems then. Now, when I try to trim a video file (MOV extension, of course), it lags and won't play back the file properly for me to finish. I originally thought it might just be my computer (kind of old and slow now), but even using my dad's much newer and nicer computer, I get the same problem! I am ready to scream! Do you know of any other good video editing programs that are free?

whenever i try to speed up a video it will speed up but it wont play everything on it am i doing something wrong plzzzzz help

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

When the videos are broken up, they\’re re-rendered for just that section. It could be codecs for could be the 2nd biggest issue, system resources. Windows Live Movie Maker isn\’t really that great for video editing; it has lots of faults. If you do regular video editing, I would chose something other than Windows Live Movie Maker.

I hope this helps…

Thank you,
Larry Henry Jr.
LEHSYS.com

dan in OR

having the same issues with lag here. Sucks. I have 20 mins of video from my new JVC camcorder ( it's HD) prettysure it's AVCHD format ,but the lag is so bad. i have no idea where to clip at. for some nice highlight segments thought it was taking up to much hard drive space on my system so i deleted it off the hardrive onto a flash drive with no difference. I am bummed. any advice would be great. Trying to avoid forking out more cash or better editing software. but i am gettin tired of this… just want to make a nice vid. and not have to deal with issues of movie formats and lag etc..etc.

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

The solution has been to either find a codec or to conver the media..

If you don't have one already, I would like to suggest a free video converter like 'Free Video Converter Factory', that handles lots [over 100+] of video types, and audio, and it's super simple to use.

When I save my video it automatically puts the file name of the video as a subtitle on the first slide ("file title.wmv") – any idea how to get rid of it?…I've tried everything I can think of , even putting a blank subtitle on the actual opening slide…

Anna

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

I believe that might be the vide player you're using; have you tried another video player like VLC?
let me know…

Until next time,
Larry Henry Jr.

Shane

Larry,
I have just fiddled with movie maker live (having used older versions) and wondered at the old age of 46 if I had entered senility. The program is far from an upgrade, sparse and rubbish.
You are a good man. I am not senile and you have saved me hours of torment. Any idea of a better free piece of software, or should I revert to older versions of movie maker?
Once again, Thanks.

I found it easy to use and powerful. If I do any serious editing; I use this. I'm very happy with it. But nothing else free is outstanding in the field of video editing. Pinnacle has something free, but it's less than par.

Windows Movie Maker 2.6 is better than Windows Live Movie Maker simply because of the timeline and the audio tracks, as well as the narration. [hands up.. why?!] The lacking points of Windows Movie Maker can be fixed by converting the videos before hand, and after.

I'm glad his information helped you.
I hope you have a nice day!

Until next time,
Larry Henry Jr.

Lisa

I have been working on a project for months, finally finished it and could not get my DVD to play on a regular DVD player. Followed the instructions given and it worked! There is no FONT large enough to say THANK YOU!

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

I'm glad it worked out for you… Windows Live Movie Maker has the potential to be outstanding, but right now, no.
I hope you have a nice day!

Sooo glad I found the information in your posts, it has saved me hours of frustration as you have listed many of the problems I was having. Thank you for your honest and simple synopsis, I wont waste any more time on this piece of crap.

John HK

As a video newbie, I initially like WLMM and made a few good movies with some HD input. I particularly liked its ease of use and simple shortcuts. At some point, for reasons I can't figure out, WLMM suddenly was incapable of handling any significant movement in HD (M2TS) files and resulted in massive blurring. Have never been able to fix and had to move to Sony Vegas. It works great but is just far too much work for a casual movie maker like me. I wish there were a happy medium.

bipolarorwakingup

What was Microsoft thinking? I BOUGHT a new computer just so that I could upgrade my movie making skills, hoping that WLMM would give me more zooming and panning options, which it does. But no narration? WTF? How am I supposed to make a slide show without narration? What a disaster.

Potto

Look – Movie Maker Live is only good for wiping your arse with – unfortunately I had to take the monitor into the toilet with me to do it. But I used the quick start guide to clean with. It is crap! Absolute Crap. The people at Microsoft are complete baboons. Dr. Frankenstein created man. Microsoft created kakapoopvomitcum with this absolute dreadful unbelievably pathetic garbage – total CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolute CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CRAP CRAP CRAP

Kasun Ranatunga

That made no sense at all. I have no idea what you are complaining about

http://www.retireyoung.com.au Serena

Thanks for this post! I was wondering why it would hang with any video over 20 minutes. I can't do anything. Can you recommend another PC tool that can help with video? I only need it once or twice a year. This time I would like to remove the video from my video and turn it into an mp3. But I am struggling to find anything that is remotely easy!

Thanks for the exhausting review on Windows Live Movie Maker but I didn't see whether you offered another direction or option for those who need something in place of WLMM, whether free or not. Please recommend something for us, thanks!

Hey, thanks for the review, but I'm still having problems bruning my movie to a DVD, every time I use the save option it shuts my computer down, any suggestions?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

If you're having issues with Windows Live Movie Maker Crashing, maybe you wight want to check this out on some common stuff to be checking… It's a list of all the common things you need to know about Windows Live Movie Maker and how to address those problem areas…

you can't be more right! you have no idea how may times I've lost videos that i worked on for an entire day!!! whats worse, i even save them with defferent names, multiple times! AARGHH!! SOOO IRRITATING!
My recent post Nature's way for healthy hair: DIY hair mask

Suzanne Parson

I'm having a horrid time following vocabulary. My projects save as WIMP files which I can't seem to find any conversion for and therefore have saved projects that are… almost useless for sharing. How do I save them as WMV files so I can at least convert them? I admit I am one of those old farts who is not good with icons and needs actual language to understand. Preferably English. On the plus side I haven't had any of the crashes you folks have.

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Windows Live Movie Maker only exports to WMV; there are no other options. You can change the resolution and the dimensions of the movies you export, but all the videos you export will be to WMV. Even when the file is written to a DVD; it's exported to WMV and then Windows DVD Maker converts that to VOB [for DVD].

I have some suggestions for video conversion. I have used all three of these video converters and think are are very good; and easy to use. They all have the video conversion options you'd be searching for and handle plenty of formats— and they're all free. A video converter is great if you can't find the right codec, and need to get moving on your project.

Why use Movie Maker Live at all? Only because it comes free with the latest Windows. I tried it, irritating from the first second and it got worse. You seem better off picking any other programme than wasting time and energy at Movie Maker Live. For what purposes is it superior to the alternatives?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Personally, I don't use it. I tried to use it and it had so many faults for video production, I bought a video package; it works much better, more solid, doesn't crash and exports to multiple formats. Windows Live Movie Maker is a free offering from Microsoft that offers novice and average users the ability to edit video and from there, be able to share/publish it to Facebook, YouTube, eMail, DVD and even custom resolutions. It's a basic editor with very simplified interface, and it's part of the Windows Live Essentials Suite of applications; and that's it. Simple and basic…

Thanks for your comments…
Later,
Larry

Melanie

Using Live Mover Maker, I did 2 projects. Both were, more or less, just photo slide shows set to music. I was able to successfully publish them on Youtube. But it was sheer agravation, that took a lot of time and patience. This program does not allow for error or editing. If everything is not done correctly the first time, you then have to can the entire project and begin all over from scratch. I found that the only way to avoid crashing was to delete all previous Live Movie Maker files, that were saved. This can not be done from the given menu, so I took them out from my documents and other folders. Add music only after everything else is completed, and make sure that it's the tune that you want. Because after you set it, there is no going back.
I have finished my third, so called movie, much like the other two. But I am making this one for a friend and want to burn it on a disc. So needless to say after all my time and effort, I have "fear of burning" and crashing. Any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Thanks for contacting me…
Windows Live Movie Maker only exports to WMV; there are no other options. You can change the resolution and the dimensions of the movies you export, but all the videos you export will be to WMV. Even when the file is written to a DVD; it's exported to WMV and then Windows DVD Maker converts that to VOB [for DVD].

To clarify the process, and to set the limitations of Windows Live Movie Maker; when you save to DVD the video is actually exported to WMV.

When the file is exported, you've to set the destination folder, the file is exported and Windows Live Movie Maker pops a window and says 'Your movie xxxxxxx is done.'
Does it get that far?
If YES, anything beyond point, that's not Windows Live Movie Maker; it's Windows DVD Maker.

So, if you can export the project to a WMV, you can use other programs to write the WMV to a DVD.
I hope this helps…

Later,
Larry

Kim

Hi, yet another problem with WLMM 2011, I can't seen to get the menu working, either 'open project, save …, import video even exit don't react when I click on it. I tried to remove and reinstall it twice, anyother have had this problem?

Jade

How do you i get my windows live movie maker movie to play through a powerpoint presentation? Not so computer skilled so easy to follow directions would be great.

Plecto

Hi Larry,

I just installed WLMM 2011 on a Windows 7 32bit virtual machine running on VMWare and tried to import a WMV video (VC-1 WMV3 PAL codec). What happens is that I can see several thumbnails (frames) of the video, but when I play it I only hear the audio but don't see the video at all (I see a black preview).
To be more precise, I add that I can hear and view the video correctly with VLC on the same virtual machine.

Using WLMM, I also tried to record a video from my webcam. I was able to see the video while recording it, but then when playing it, I could only see the audio, and again a black screen.

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

phodee

am getting the same shit, i opened my current projects and all the videos are black! i have tried to open all my other projects to see if it's just an issue with that project but no its all the same crap, black screens everywhere. ahhhahahaahahahhh!
i havent changed nothing with my source videos, i hope there is a solution to this. note: i have tried the uninstall and reinstall of the program but no avail. Help

pleasehelp!!!

please help!! when i go to move a photo in my windows live movie maker- it links a bunch together saying moving 80 or moving 6 and it won't let me individually select them!! also, it seems to only now have video tools on the top……..can anyone help??!!

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

I would leave Windows Live Photo Gallery and just link to the media files directly. There's too much crap in Windows Live Photo Gallery to figure out what's messed up today. I don't every have problems linking or drag-and-drop files directly in to Windows Live Movie Maker. I believe drag-and-drop is easier than the official function of adding videos.

I hope this helps…

Until next time,
Larry Henry Jr.

Arrika

I made a video with movie maker and it played fine on my dvd player except that there was too much black space around the video when on tv. Decided to fix the problem in movie maker by changing to widescreen. Published the video and burned it with Windows dvd maker. The video won't play now. I've been reading that it needs to be .avi but my first video was in .wmv format. Any suggestions?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Thanks for contacting me…
Windows Live Movie Maker only exports to WMV; there are no other options. You can change the resolution and the dimensions of the movies you export, but all the videos you export will be to WMV. Even when the file is written to a DVD; it's exported to WMV and then Windows DVD Maker converts that to VOB [for DVD].

To adjust the output of the WMV file of Windows Live Movie Maker, do this…

In Windows Live Movie Maker, MENU, SAVE MOVIE

The eMail option is typically going to give you the best ratio option for size and resolution.
But you can use 'custom settings' if you need to.

Download WinX DVD – DVD Authoring software…
This is an alternative DVD authoring software package for converting your videos directly to VOB, to be placed on a DVD disc. It offers functions for Standard quality and HD quality, it has functions to control the DVD menu and chapter controls… and it's without charge of any kind.

Hi, I'm trying to add music to my WLM project, but it only plays 64 seconds of it. Why, and how do I fix this?

R. W. Toy

Hi
I am new to video editing and had just bought a new sony vaio that it came pre packed with. I spent about two nights editing a concert I had filmed and was already to put it on a dvd. When I played it back it was absolute rhubarb. I know I saved it to the computer, that being one of the choices and the resolution was meant to be quite high, but it was as if I had saved in the lowest resolution you could imagine.
Luckily I still had the original footage on my camcorder.
I have now bought Magix Easy Video and this looks like it could be a very easy and good program to use. Hope this helps others.

Windows live movie maker 2011 really sucks….Audio will not play if we upload more than 50 photos.It is sporadic sometimes it plays and sometimes it get stuck and doesn't play. 'Not Responding' message comes and it freezes every 10 minutes. Can anyone provide a solution/reason as why audio will not play even if volume is high in Music options? Also I am not able to Save the movie it freezes and will not save the movie and unable to export it.. Please help

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

It's one of the largest problems with Windows Live Movie Maker…
CODECS in general; what you need to know about codecs, in a nutshell, is that they dictate whether or not the audio, video or both are recognized properly by Windows Live Movie Maker [or any other media application for the most part], and it's important to have the right codecs installed/updated. It affects the performance of Windows Live Movie Maker and it also affects the rendering of the videos/audio inside the application— And Windows Live Movie Maker offers no automated assistance in resolving the issues of codecs. Loading codecs for Windows Live Movie Maker is left to the users/customers to find and install.

Another is resources…
Windows Live Movie Maker is really bad about handling system resources and can cause plenty of issues. To check on this, if you run in to issues with Windows Live Movie Maker, pull up the Task Manager and see how much Windows Live Movie Maker [the application] is taking/using from your system. If it's using more memory than anything else, that could be your problem…

If you're having issues with Windows Live Movie Maker Crashing, maybe you wight want to check this out on some common stuff to be checking… It's a list of all the common things you need to know about Windows Live Movie Maker and how to address those problem areas…

I thank you for you generous response to peoples problems about Windows Movie Maker. I can currently working on two projects and having the EXACT same issues all the time. I check your resource reference and my Movie Maker does take up a HUGE amount of resources. going from 270,000 to 230,000k.

MY MAIN ISSUE IF ANYONE CAN HELP is that when I save ANY project as a Movie Maker file and go to reopen it, the audio WILL NOT PLAY. at all. This mean that I basically have to redo every single project ANYTIME someone wants to make a change because I cannot track the accuracy or the audio to the visual content. IF ANYONE has ANY ideas about how to make this happen I'd be extremely appreciative.

I don't know the audio format you're using, but have you tried converting it? e.g. from MP3 to WAV?
Does that make a difference for you?

Just trying to help…

Later,
Larry

R.R.Deshmukh

When I publish music added video only half the screen video is displayed other half being blank why?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

I'm not able to help you; you're not giving me enough information the mesh with. Adding music to video in Windows Live Movie Maker shouldn't a problem.
And if you are publishing a video, how does it look before you publish? and What service?

Later,
Larry

Matt

The problem I am having is that when I create a video using my webcam it just shows up as a black screen on windows Live movie maker.
Seriously, the raw footage is fine but when I transfere it onto windows live movie maker there's no video, just audio.
I've tried re-installing the webcam's software, windows live movie maker but nothing.
It seems to be an un-common problem as I've had trouble finding people with the same problem.
Anyone got any suggestions? if you do I'd be most grateful for you to share them.

Cheers.

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Maybe I misunderstand… Windows Live Movie Maker has the option to capture web cam videos; try capturing it directly in to the application.

Windows Live Movie Maker… Setup a webcam
The process of using the webcam with Windows Live Movie Maker is relatively simple… in most cases. But if your webcam works with other video services like Skype [Microsoft], MSN [Microsoft] and web services like Google+; the problem is Windows Live Movie Maker.

or if you are capturing it with another application; try converting it…

I have some suggestions for video conversion. I have used all three of these video converters and think are are very good; and easy to use. They all have the video conversion options you'd be searching for and handle plenty of formats— and they're all free. A video converter is great if you can't find the right codec, and need to get moving on your project.

You can only have 1 picture per slide; what are you discussing?
When you are asking for help, it's best to provide as much information you can about the problem or issue that you have and then make an attempt to explain all the things you have tried, thus far, to make an attempt to resolve that issue. People can help; but they need to know as many important details first…

Just trying to help…

Later,
Larry

Harro123

When I import mpg video from my camcorder it plays fine and clear on Windows Media Player. If i then import it into WLMP to edit it plays with a jitter or judder and lacks some clarity as compared to when played in Media Player. I have tried various save options but to no avail….If I burn the video to a DVD without putting thru WLMM its fine but if i "edit" using WLMM its crap. PLEASE HELP ????

bigno34

I opened my movie windows live movie maker out of curiosity. It has now taken over my computer by opening whenever I try to open other media programs or I try to uninstall it. I am using Windows Vista Home Premium on an HP with AMD Phenom 9150e Quad-Core Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430. I have no idea what to do to get rid of this problem. I just hope there is a fairly simple solution. Thanks.

If you want to uninstall Windows Live Movie Maker 2011, you have some options…

» Please note that Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery are a bundle set. Uninstalling Windows Live Movie Maker will remove Windows Live Photo Gallery.

To do this…
Start» Run»
APPWIZ.CPL
Windows Live essentials [update/uninstall]
Select Windows Live Movie Maker and go through the steps of removing it.

or

To uninstall Windows Live Movie Maker, click Start » Run, then type/paste the following and press Enter:
msiexec /x {9F479685-180E-4C05-9400-D59292A1B29C}

…and go through the steps of removing it.

[recommend rebooting at this point]
Windows Live Movie Maker should be removed.

I hope this helps…

Later,
Larry

Ashlopia

SOmeone i know spent 7 hour making a movie on Windows Live Movie Maker for his elderly father for Christmas. It wwas very emotional. It goes for almost half and hour but now won't let him burn it to a dvd. He has tried every way possible to save it. (As in 'Burn to a DVD' or "For HD Resolution' or "Recommended Setting") Nothing has proveiled. Need help URGENTLY. Also, it used to crash, but since the update nothing bad has happened. It does freeze though. I need to help this someone. Any ideas?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

To cover for the consistent reports of resource issues in Windows Live Movie Maker; the standard response from Microsoft techs is to adjust your PAGEFILE — it's helpful in some cases.

As a recommendation— In the Initial Size box, enter a value equal to one and a half times the amount
of the computer's installed RAM. In the Maximum Size box, enter a value equal to twice the amount of
the Initial Size value.

Note: You can change it back to what it was if this doesn't work for you…

I hope this helps…

Later,
Larry

philip

iv just finished my project on windows live movie maker and when i play it back its perfect but when i burn a dvd and play it on the dvd player there is no sound, can't understand it can anyone help please

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

In an effort to clarify the process of how a DVD is created from Windows Live Movie Maker; I offer this…
» Windows Live Movie Maker has no DVD authoring functions at all; none.

1. Windows Live Movie Maker is a video editing software package, it takes in the video clips and
audio, and allows you to compose them in a specific way [as a project].
2. Windows Live Movie Maker only exports video as WMV; not directly to DVD format [VOB].
3. Once the video is exported to WMV, in a temp location, the WMV is converted again, to VOB format
by Windows DVD Maker.
4. Windows DVD Maker controls the chapters, looping, authoring and BURNING of the DVD.

You need to check the exported WMV first; if the WMV is good [having sound] the problem lies in the conversion to VOB and Windows DVD Maker.
Try using an alternative DVD authoring application.

Download WinX DVD – DVD Authoring software…
This is an alternative DVD authoring software package for converting your videos directly to VOB, to be placed on a DVD disc. It offers functions for Standard quality and HD quality, it has functions to control the DVD menu and chapter controls… and it's without charge of any kind.

I have been using Windows Movie Maker (Windowsn XP) and I am now switching to Windows Live Movie Maker (Windows 7). I have many video files uploaded from a videocamera in a *.wmv format. When I bring up those files in Windows Movie Maker, the single hour long file appears as multiple video clips with a date/time stamp for each clips, with the clips based on when the video camera was started/stopped. These clips are very helpful. When the same *.wmv file is brought up in Windows Live Movie Maker, there is just one hour long video shown. How can I get Windows Live Movie Maker to show the same clips, with the date/time stamp as Windows Movie Maker?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Good morning .. Each video that's imported into Windows Live Movie Maker is represented in a video clip [w/o the time and date]. If the hour long video [compilation] is one big file, you'll only see a single clip; and if the video compilation is multiple files, Windows Live Movie Maker should import all the videos as individual clips, allowing you to arrange the clips to your accord.I hope this helps… and Thanks for your comments… Thank you, Larry Henry Jr. LEHSYS.com approve

POP

When I save a file it says its 11 seconds, but when I play, it plays 16 seconds worth of video ? any help on correcting this since when I upload it takes the value of 11 seconds.

Kasun Ranatunga

I am having a real problem. When i try to save my file as a project, Windows Live Movie Maker says that it can't find the path and therefore i can't save it. All i can do is make a movie and not edit it! Then i look to the paths and i find nothing. What is going on ? Please help me!!!

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

According to some of the posts and resolutions; there could be a problem with your user profile.
Try creating a new user profile and then make an attempt to save the project again. If it works; your user profile is damaged… how? Microsoft doesn't know.

Windows Live Movie Maker makes certain assumptions that folders, files and registry entries should be pre-existing; it doesn't check for them, nor create them [even if required], but creating a NEW profile in Windows does this. Basically, this could mean 'something' with your profile is damaged or missing preventing Windows Live Movie Maker from working properly. Sadly, Windows Live Movie Maker dev tech's have failed to post anything that remotely says what those pre-requisite folder, files and registry entries are… at this point using another profile is the temp solution.

My issue with WLMM is as I'm editing my videos, randomly every minute or two a video clip will become 'corrupted'. So I have to close the program and reopen so it'll be normal again. Is there anything easy I can do to fix this or should I just switch video editing programs??
My recent post New Years Resolutions For 2012

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

What you are describing is a case of resources…
Windows Live Movie Maker is really bad about handling system resources and can cause plenty of issues. To check on this, if you run in to issues with Windows Live Movie Maker, pull up the Task Manager and see how much Windows Live Movie Maker [the application] is taking/using from your system. If it's using more memory than anything else, that could be your problem…

To cover for the consistent reports of resource issues in Windows Live Movie Maker; the standard response from Microsoft techs is to adjust your PAGEFILE — it's helpful in some cases.

As a recommendation— In the Initial Size box, enter a value equal to one and a half times the amount
of the computer's installed RAM. In the Maximum Size box, enter a value equal to twice the amount of
the Initial Size value.

Note: You can change it back to what it was if this doesn't work for you…

I hope this helps…

Later,
Larry

Byron

Having serious issues with WLMM right now and can’t figure it out. I record videos of raids for my guild in world of warcraft with a free capture program called Xfire and upload them for people to see. Sometimes the videos are too big or too long to upload, so I load them into WLMM and split them, save them in an HDcode .wmv and upload to the two new videos into Xfire. Recently, something has changed, I don’t know if it was the major security updates from a month ago or what, but now when I load a movie into WLMM, there is no video, only sound. The videos still play fine in WMP and are .avi files but there’s nothing but black in WLMM. And its not just one video, EVERY video does it, even the ones I’ve used before in WLMM and ones WLMM coded itself. Please help

Things I’ve already done:

updated sounds/video drivers

updated codecs

updated Xfire

uninstalled and reinstalled

Xfire

WLMM

divX

Rolled back WLMM update

Nothing has worked, is there any advice you could give without offering a program I have to pay for?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

If you've got a NVIDIA card, that could be your issue; many users are reporting issues with the latest NVIDIA drivers and it's causing a mess. Try downgrading to the previous version, or look for newer version.

I hope this helps…
Later,
Larry

Byron

That did the trick! Thank you very much for saving me from having to learn a new problem just to split a movie in two. Never occurred to me to check that, but in hindsight makes total sense.

Thank you very much for helping me and for being a voice of hope for other lost people with this program.

-Byron

Byron

…program, not problem….it’s late, time for bed. =P

Krista

I’m in the process of making a video with “Windows Live Movie Maker” If I save it will I be able to go back and edit it later on? Or once I save it then its all done and over?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

Windows Live Movie Maker has the ability to save the current project [as WLMP] in a project file and/or export to a WMV file…

If you saved the project to a location on your hard drive with a WLMP extension; it's a textual file
that points to all the references of media and effects that are used in the project— there's no
actual media in the file, and the file size is typically very small. If you have this file, just load that
it. From that point, you can continue editing the project just as you did before with all the
robust features/options.

If you saved the project as a WMV file; that's a final [export] production version… you can
load it, but you can't edit it like before with robust options. At that point, you are simply
loading a video clip.

Ensure to save in a WLMP… and you can then come back and edit it.

I hope this helps…

Later,
Larry

RAM

In Windows Live Movie Maker there is no possibility to change colour of the back ground panel. It would be better if this feature is developed in this new version. However, many people like me are liking to stick on to the old version of WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER for reasons 1) freeware 2) user friendly 3) time-line facility etc. The Microsoft has to think of developing the Windows Live Movie Maker with new useful additional features

Thank you

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

It used to have those features… Microsoft removed them. very odd.

If you\’d like, you can leave feedback for the Windows Live Movie Maker 2011 team for suggestions/improvements:

When i go to publish my video to Facebook from Windows Live Movie Maker the screen goes to a faded colour and it says it's not responding, please help me!!!

video Jan

i have spent many hours trying to find a solution to the following problem. After editing film (video & stills) for @12 min. the video gets jumpy, the sound goes out and the frames go blank with exclaimation warning marks appear on the frames (edited clips).
I have used this program successfully during the first half of 2011. I have a 18 mo old HP computer with Windows 7. Movie maker was preinstalled. During the last week I have spent @4 hours per day with HP and Microsoft with no positive results. Microsoft advisor finally said that they do not have a help line for Windows Live Movie Maker in Windows 7 as it was a free install. They could have helped if it was in Windows XP or Vista as it was not a free program. For me this is astounding and I am very doubtful as to the reality of this answer. HP said I should buy a new & better program for movie making.
After reading many forums, I believe the problem is that an update was done in Nov. 2011. After this update, the Live Movie Maker program is using too much memory and thus crashes after a period of editing.
Does anyone agree with me?

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

The depressing thing about the Windows Live Movie Maker forum is that it’s the same problem day in and day out; there’s no progress with Windows Live Movie Maker and Microsoft isn’t releasing updates for the application. Problems from corrupt project files, superfluous memory usage and another big one; being compatible with the various standard video and audio formats.

In my early beta testing, these things kind of went unnoticed, but after spending more time with Windows Live Movie Maker and being in the forums the problems are clearly apparent. And again, these problems go unanswered…

Windows Live Movie Maker/Windows Live Essentials, people would have thought would’ve been released on an annual schedule; they have tossed that too. If they were on a proper release schedule wave 5 of Windows Live Essentials would be out already [like November of last year (2011)].

In light of these issues and having experienced several of them, I realized that if you’re doing video production on a regular basis, I needed something a little more professional and a little more stable…

I would recommend MAGIX Movie Edit Pro Plus; it has everything I was searching for in a video editing package, very flexible, lots of effects and options…
I wrote a post on it [including a video]… http://www.lehsys.com/2011/02/techie-review-movie…

I hope this helps… Until next time, Larry Henry Jr.

Rian

Hi! Im actually using Windows Movie Maker not live, but I was hoping this was also an issue so I could get help here. Okay, so Im making a movie out of pictures, right? And every picture has a code in which it's saved in, correct? I understand that, but what I don't understand is why in the beginning, while the text comes up in my title, it says the code of the picture coming next, such as image92847927 and then my name, say my name was Suzie, it'll say this..
images938082760
Suzie ( Or whatever code the picture is saved in )

Please help me!

Rian

Oh nevermind, I got it.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003406033946 Giovani

I think Super DVD Creator is your best choice,It alway works well for me. It can corevnt and burn AVI to DVD, WMV to DVD, DivX to DVD, Xvid to DVD, RM RMVB to DVD, Asf to DVD, VOB to DVD, MPEG-1/2, MOV(Quicktime), MP4, 3GP, MOD files to DVD. Super DVD Creator is the easy way to create your DVD video disc with DVD Menu and DVD subtitles.You can see detail and check it out:Step by Step Tutorial:I hope this may help you.

Andy

I can't seem to get this right…..I already have the Video set up and Audio down in the timeline.. my problem is the part of the song I want to add to my video is like a minute into the song, how do I get that and put it into my movie…?? Every time I drag it, the song always starts at the beginning,…..this shit is frustrating…. I hope this makes sense to someone…

Emma

It is driving me CRAZY!

So I'm trying to make a video montage of my holiday using video and photo files all from the same camera all .MTS with a soundtrack of some songs. It's about 14 minutes long. What it does is randomly decide that some of the videos are unplayable and put a little yellow warning sign on a grey background where the video is. I close it and reopen it and it's fine then i play it back and it does it again… the files are corrupt or missing but they're all there and all the SAME! I've been trimming and splitting them and changing the speed around but surely the whole point of the programme is to edit the video how you like! I reopen it again and try and save it immediately, it gets to about 20% then says that I need to find the files on my computer or remove any corrupt files. I don't know what a corrupt file is and the damn application keeps on changing it's mind on which ones are and which ones are not.

Help. Please.

http://www.LEHSYS.com lehenryjr

it sounds like the problem that you're running into, maybe an issue of resources. If the media files are working initially, and then they stop working; it's most likely issues of resources. Windows Live Movie Maker has a long history of not managing resources properly when trying to render videos. I'll make the suggestion about adjusting your page file if you haven't done it already, or you might try working with smaller sections of video and then compiling them later into one complete video. This is one of the main reasons I switched from Windows Live Movie Maker; it just wasn't stable enough.

To cover for the consistent reports of resource issues in Windows Live Movie Maker; the standard response from Microsoft techs is to adjust your PAGEFILE — it's helpful in some cases.

As a recommendation— In the Initial Size box, enter a value equal to one and a half times the amount
of the computer's installed RAM. In the Maximum Size box, enter a value equal to twice the amount of
the Initial Size value.

Note: You can change it back to what it was if this doesn't work for you…

Hi Lenny, I hope you can help me! We have just finished putting together a movie with pics, movie clips and copy. The movie was working fine, then we made some minor changes. We can view in preview mode, but when we try to save in any format the video portions freeze, sound is fine. I am completely freaking out – I’ve committed to making this movie for my child’s school, and need it tomorrow. Can you help?????

Having issues with windows Live Moviemaker, Larry . A 45 min project going to
60 min. Thsnks for warning. Any suggestions on nother program to finish my project? Many thanks… Billeggert2020@live.com

http://www.mikeandchandreyee.com/guestbook/ www.mikeandchandreyee.com

Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though
you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly
know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

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Windows Live Movie Maker is a free offering from Microsoft that offers novice and average users the ability to edit video and from there, be able to share/publish it to Facebook, YouTube, eMail, DVD and even custom resolutions. It's a basic editor with very simplified interface, and it's part of the Windows Live Essentials Suite […]

Are you one of the dedicated few that are still using Windows Live Writer? Have you noticed that Microsoft has removed the Windows Live Writer plug-ins page? Back in August 2014, there was a post on Twitter that indicated that there were some advanced discussions about living Windows Live Writer over to open source. But […]

I was recently given the opportunity to review WonderFox DVD Ripper, for copying DVDs. I believe everyone has reached a point where they recognize the importance of being able to back up their DVD collection, but more importantly being able to enjoy their media collection anywhere they wanted. Being able to enjoy your media collection […]

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